"Yeah, I did. Did he tell you everything?" I wanted to question why she was talking to him, but I didn't want her to think I was accusing her of anything. Because I wasn’t.
"The truncated version. But I'd rather hear the details directly from you. And I would also like to know how you know Simon. I don't like people talking about me behind my back, and I find it interesting that two men I've been…intimate with somehow have a connection with you."
Logan. Fuck.
I raked another hand through my hair, this time in fraught agitation. "Listen. I'll explain everything, but I would prefer to do it face-to-face. Is there somewhere we can meet up? I can come to you, or you can come over to mine?"
My heart beat a steady drum as the impact of my words washed over me. I had never invited a woman other than Diane or Sarah into my home.
There was another moment of tense silence. I wish I could see her face, but that was why I suggested we meet in person. I could explain everything now, over the phone, but that would mean our contact would end, and then what? I hoped she couldn't see through my contrived offer.
She exhaled another breath as I held mine.
"You can come to my apartment." I pumped my fist before quickly scribbling down her address and apartment number. We arranged a time—tomorrow evening—before she promptly rang off.
I stared down at the paper in my hand, reading her address with a furrowed brow. There was something familiar about her apartment name.
And then it hit me.
I knew how she knew Sofia.
Chapter 30
Maria
The knock came at 7 PM on the dot, as if he'd been waiting for the clock to tick over before he announced himself. The anxiety that had clogged me since last night continued to build. I wanted more time to compose myself before seeing him again, but I knew I'd probably judge him if he were even a minute late.
For all my bravado on the phone with Brian, my insides started to churn as soon as I ended our call. Seeing him again suddenly seemed like the most stupid idea. I almost called him back to cancel.
No, actually, I don't care how you know Simon and Sofia, and I'm definitely not curious as to why you almost got into a fight with my ex-fling. On my behalf.
Since that last time in his office, I'd tried to shove Brian to the back of my mind. I’d written him off as a dud in my long list of admirers. Yes, it was annoying that he entered my mind more times than I liked to admit, but I was still proud of myself fornot caving in and making the same tired excuses I gave to all the men who inevitably disappointed me.
So why had I agreed to see him?
After Simon's revelation, there was a curiosity that nagged at me. The fact that two men I had previously dated not only knew each other but had seen fit to discuss me without my presence had my hackles raised, and my interest piqued. It didn't matter how innocent it all was. Or that it had been done defending my honor.
My hand turned on the doorknob, and I finally laid eyes on the man who had wrecked me. I hadn't seen Brian since I stormed his office and dumped his apology flowers at him. Even though I'd had over twenty-four hours to prepare myself, it still wasn't enough time.
He didn't look any different from when I'd last seen him. That was the problem. He still looked exceptionally good that I had to keep my eyes trained on his face to stop from checking out the rest of him.
Brown eyes crinkled with a softness that caused my gut to pinch. Firm mouth that I could still recall the softness of when his lips had moved desperately against mine. They were now curved in a small, hesitant smile as if bracing himself for me to slam the door in his face. Sensible me should have. But inquisitive and slightly still slutty me? She widened the door to welcome him in.
"Maria." His tone was low and polite. "Thanks for agreeing to see me."
I inclined my head in acknowledgment. "Hi. I see you found my place okay."
Was it my imagination, or did I see a slight wince? I stepped aside. "C'mon in."
His woodsy and spicy scent assailed my senses when he brushed past me. My eyes couldn't help but fall on his firm assthat looked snug in those black jeans. He wore a gray hooded sweatshirt underneath a forest green jacket. I'd seen Brian dressed in his muddy work boots and branded work shirt. I'd thoughtthatwas sexy. But seeing him in his everyday casual clothes, especially in my personal space, spiked my heart.
I'd also seen him dressed up in a stone-washed collared shirt and dark navy pants for our date at Da Vinci's. That image sobered me up as I was reminded how that date disastrously ended. It was the catalyst for where we were now with each other.
I squared my shoulders and jutted my chin out. I indicated to my gray sofa. "Take a seat."
My place wasn't much to look at; still, I tried to see it through his eyes. I had a generic photo of a vase with flowers that I thought looked pretty, a standard TV, and a bookcase with my favorite thrillers and romances. I used to have photos of Lissa and me throughout the years, but they all ended up in the trash after I cut her out of my life. I was confident she and I wouldn't be making up.
It had been a long time since I'd had a man in my home—well, long by my standards. His giant frame dwarfed my small sofa as his eyes bounced around the room in interest.
